Happy National Nursing Home Week
This week marks National Nursing Home Week, a designation that has been incorporated into the celebration of Older Americans Month since 1967. The week spotlights nursing home residents and staff who create supportive and caring environments in which to live and work.
Nominees sought for Circle of Life Awards
Nominees are being sought for the Circle of Life Awards, which celebrates innovation in palliative and end-of-life care. The awards will give top honors in 2018 to up to three programs or organizations.
Open Payments 2016 review and dispute period ends May 15
The American Hospital Association (AHA) says physicians and teaching hospitals may review and dispute 2016 payments reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments program through May 15.
State seeks input on State Plan of Aging for 2017-2021
In preparation for the next version of the State Plan on Aging, the Department of Human Services' Division of Long Term Services and Supports is seeking comments to the drafted State Plan on Aging for 2017-2021. The public comment period will be open until May 25 and a public hearing will be held on May 23.
Celebrate national health care weeks
Each year in May, the nation celebrates National Hospital Week (May 8-12), National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20). This is a time when we pause to recognize the organizations and individuals who care for us when we are in our most fragile condition.
Happy National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. The nursing profession has been supported and promoted by the American Nurses Association (ANA) since 1896.
AHCA moves to the Senate
The Senate began work this week on the House version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) as scoring from the congressional budget office (CBO) is sought. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has appointed a working group that will overhaul most, or all of the House version of the bill.
Registration open for SD Rural Health Leaders Conference
Registration is open for the South Dakota Rural Health Leaders Conference, planned for June 14-15 at the Drifters Conference Center in Fort Pierre. This new event for rural health leaders has been planned by the South Dakota Healthcare Financial Management Association, Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, the Office of Rural Health and SDAHO.
CMS delays implementation of HCBS settings final rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a letter announcing a delay in the implementation for the HCBS rule standards, extending the deadline to March 17, 2022. We have been working with LeadingAge to advocate for the delay since the rule was released.
May health care observances
May is filled with many other health care celebrations in addition to this week's National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. Also on the bill are Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and next week's National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20).
